Baby medicine spoon



Nov, 8, 1927. 1,648,123

R. E. HODGMAN BABY MEDICINE SPOON Filed Nov. 23, 1926 Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

N i .F. S

ROBERTE. HODGMAN, on DENVER, ootoaano, As sIenoJa To THE BABEsPUNE, COM- PANY, or DENVER, COLORADO, A oonronn rronon COLORADO. a

BABY. ivrnnrornn sroon.

Application filed November 23, 1926. 'Elerial No. 150,231.

.This invention relates to improvements in spoons and has particular reference tospoons of the typeusedfor feeding small children i and for giving them medicine.

It is well known that it is: very difficult to administer medicines, such as castor oil,

to a child with an ordinary spoon as the child will instinctively close its mouth and lips i making it impossible to transfer the medicine from the spoon'to the childs mouth. It is, therefore, often necessary to forcibly open the childs mouth and to pour the medicine therein. This sometimes produces a strangling and is altogether unsatisfactory.

It is the object of this invention to produce a spoon which is constructed in such a manner that the childs lips cannot come int-0.

contact with the contents and which permits the contents to flow freelyinto the childs mouth once the spoon has been inserted. a

My invention, briefly described, consists of a'spoon made in two parts, one of which serves as a cover for the front end of the lower or spoon part, and which has a cut out portion or notch at its front end through which the liquid can flow. The cover portion provides a cap for the baby to bite on and prevents it from getting its lips into contact 'with the contents of the spoon. The cover also prevents the medicine from being spilled so that the child gets the full dose prescribed by the doctor.

The construction is such that the spoon is also adapted to serve as a teething device having a smooth attractive surface that is cooling to the gums, which are usually feverish during dentation.

It is a further object of this inventionto so construct the spoon that'it may be readily cleaned and kept in a sanitary condition-and which will stand upright upon a fiat surface. The above and other objects that may become apparent as the description of the invention proceeds are attained by means of a construction that I will now describe in detail, ,referencefor this purpose being had to the accompanying drawing in which the preferred form of the invention has been illustrated and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of the spoon;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view showing the cover disconnected from the spoon;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4, Fig. 2; and

' -Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the parts in operative position.

l ly improvedspoon comprises two parts 'which is bent into'a closed loop, theend 6 of the handle terminates adjacent to the bottom of the spoon near the rear end there'- of and is preferably soldered to the spoon at this point. The shape of the spo'on'por- "which have :been designated respectively A v and B. The part A is the spoon portiona'nd tion is shown quite clearly in Figure 3 and 7 when considered apart from the cover portion'is very much'like ordinary baby spoons with curved handles. Secured to this spoon portion is the cover portion B which has a part of substantially the same contour as the spoon and this part is provided with inturned flanges 7 I (Fig; 4) which are adapted to engage the outer portion of the spoon in the manner indicated so as to firmly attach the two parts. The point'of the cover portion is provided with a notch or cut out 8 '(F 1g. 1) which-forms an openingthat communicates with the space 'enclosed ther'eby;

The cover portion has arearwardly extend-f ing loop 9 that is interlinked with the handle so as to prevent the cover from being separated from the spoon. The lower portion of the handle which has been indicated by reference nume'rallO has an upwardly extending integral tongue 11 that is adapted to be engaged by the rear end of the'loop '9 so as to hold the cover in position on the spoon,

all as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5. When the parts are in this position any liquid such as medicine, fruit juices or any other liquid that is desired to give or administer to the ch1l d, is placed in the spoon portion in the ordinary manner The spoon is then inserted into the mouth'of the child and by properly inclining the same, the liquid flows out through the notch 8. The cover portion B forms a cap which prevents the childs lips or its gums or teeth from entering the liquid in the spoon and in this manner makes it impossible for the child to prevent the administration of the medicines. The cover also serves to prevent the'contents of the spoon from being spilled due to unsteady handling as is often the case when an uncovered spoon of ordinary construction is employed. The spoon, although especially valuable for administering medicines, can, as above intior when in open position like that shown in Figure 8, which can be used for any purpose for which a similaruncovered spoon may be employed. The fact that the two partsA.

and B can be moved'to the position shown in Figure 3, makes it possible toclean the spoon so asto alwayshave it in a perfectly sanitary condition. This would be very difiicult if the coverportion Bjwere made i'nte- Q gral with or otherwise nonremovably, secured Ito the; spoon, fAlthough I have shown an attaching lug .11 which is stamped from. the

material of the handle in the manner indicated in Figures 2 and-5, it is evident that thistmight be replaced by any equivalent means, such, for example, as arivet project- V V N tion, a spoon having a handle bent into the 'ing inwardly from thehandle.

'gure 8 that the lower portion of the looped handle, Which portion has been indicated by numeral 10, is

' .quite vvide and flat and therefore serves to n at) hold the spoon in upright pofgitioniwhen it 7 is placed on a flatsupporting surface. This isflvery desirable for the reason that the spoon, even when it is fill-ed with a liquid, .can-safelytbeset. down upon a table without danger of spilling the contents. The parts. are eo,,proportioned that the upper :edgetof'the, spoon is substantially parallel Wit-h the'plain surface'upon which the spoon rests, and as it, is usually rested on a 1101i? Zontal. sur face, it isevident that the liquid will. not flow; out,'eve 'n though the spoon is filled substantially to the brim. The spoon, when'in assembled position like that shown in Figures 1,. 2 and 5, is admirably adapted for a teething device as it presents two curved smooth surfaces, which are convenplaything as it can be readily disconnected into the positionshown in Figure 3 in which position. the child finds considerable amusement in attempting to readjust the parts and otherwise 7 alteringtheir relative positions. From the above. it will be noticed that T have produced a spoon of novelconstruotion that is admirably adapted for several different purposes and is especially'u'sefulin the administering ofmedicines to. children. Having now de -cribed the invention what is elaimed as-new isi 1. A baby spoon comprising, in combinaform of a closed loop, a'cover portion adapt 7 with said handle and'interengaging means on the handle and loop member for holding the cover in operative position, In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

ROBERT E. HODGMAN; 

